Lightning Strike Damages Calvary Electrical System

Services and Classes Cancelled for Sunday. June 6, 2010‏

From:	info@calvarysimpsonville.org
Sent:	Sun 6/06/10 12:20 AM
To:

Because of a serious power failure affecting all the buildings on campus, there will be no services or classes on Sunday, June 6. Lack of electricity in hallways, classrooms, and the auditorium poses a safety concern for these public gathering places.

The pastoral staff encourages you to enjoy good fellowship with your family, gather with Calvary friends during the day, and/or worship with other churches in the area.

Please pray with us that these matters will be resolved quickly.

Iceland Volcano

By MICHIO KAKU

How long will this disrupting eruption last?

As Europe writhes in agony, millions of people are asking this question, desperately praying for relief from the paralysis of the airline industry caused by an Icelandic volcano.

This eruption is a perfect storm, a combination of wind and ice conditions that has turned an ordinary eruption into a crisis. Last month, the same volcano erupted harmlessly. But last week, magma found a second pathway to the surface, this time beneath a glacier. When hot magma touched ice, it instantly created a burst of steam and produced glassified silicates. The sudden expansion of steam created a colossal explosion that sent billowing clouds of glassified silica ash three to five miles into the air over Europe. The ongoing eruptions of the volcano, which continue unabated, are caused by a series of steam explosions as magma continues to encounter glacial ice.

There are three scenarios for what could come next:

1) The best scenario is that over the next few days either the magma spends itself or the ice finally melts. Without ice, the eruption will become an ordinary one. Scientists have tried to send airplanes to the volcano to analyze how much ice is left, but even these airplanes were grounded by the clouds of ash.

2) The most likely scenario is a repeat of the 1821 eruption by the same volcano. That eruption sputtered off and on for 13 months. If this occurs again, European aviation may have to play cat and mouse for several weeks to months. Planes will only fly when the jet stream is blowing a certain direction or when the volcano is relatively quiet. Under this scenario, pilots will be in constant fear of encountering ash, which can shut down a plane's engines and sand blast its windshields to such an extent that it is impossible to see through them. There have been about 90 airplane encounters with volcanic ash since 1980, and in one instance all four of the plane's engines were shut down, almost causing a tragedy.

3) The worse case scenario, which is unlikely, involves this eruption triggering another, larger eruption. There are 35 active volcanoes in Iceland, and one eruption has been known to set off another. The worse case happened in 1783, with an eruption lasting eight months. That eruption killed off much of the livestock and agriculture in Iceland, which in turn caused the death of about 25% of the island's population.

The eruption also eventually killed tens of thousands of people on the Continent. Benjamin Franklin was in Paris at the time and was one of the first to connect the rapid change in local weather that collapsed European agriculture with a volcanic explosion. 1783 became known as the horrible "year without summer." Europe plunged into a period of poverty that lasted for years. Some historians believe that this may have contributed to the French Revolution of 1789.

Unfortunately, our institutional memory lasts a few decades at most, while the cycles of mother Earth are usually measured in centuries or millennia. So for the future we have to appreciate that we humans will be pushed around like pawns as the earth slowly but inexorably changes and shifts.

Health Care Reform Has Been Passed

Last Sunday, the Health Care Reform Bill was voted on in the House of Representatives and was passed by avote of 219 (FOR) to 212 (AGAINST). Congressman Stupak who vowed not to support the Senate version of the bill because of his disagreement over the language provisions allowing for public funding of abortions reneged on his promise and voted for the bill along with others (who initially promised not to support it) which turned the tide in favor of passing the bill. This is a milestone piece of legislation which expands and creates the biggest entitlement program since the New Deal under FDR. President Obama signed the bill into law on Tuesday. This bill will place additional pressure on the government finances and will require new taxation to fund the provisions of this bill. This debate will continue into the November 20101 elections with the Republicans campaigning to repeal. This legislation is being challenged by several states as being unconstitutional. I mention it in this blog to record the country's slide deeper into socialism as a backdrop for our study of Book of Revelation.

Pictures from Antigua

Debbie Hearn has sent a link to view photos from the trip to Antigua.
View site

From Debbie: "Hello! I just thought you might want to see pictures of our trip a few weeks ago.


This view allows you to make some choices:
1. click on the "view site" spot above and choose "Antigua Mission Trip".
2. this view allows you to choose how you want to see the pictures. Click on "slideshow" OR
click on the "right arrow" to take your time and read the descriptions at the bottom of each picture.
3. Then you can choose from options on the right side of the page...
download one or more pictures to your computer, order pictures, or download the entire album of pictures to your computer. I plan to keep them on this site for a very long time. (It is my real estate picture website.)
4. Forward this to your friends, if you like and send me a comment at the bottom left side of the page!

Regards

Debbie Hearn"

Singspiration at Billie Youngblood

The Holloways are organizing a singspiration at and for Billie Youngblood. There are more details to follow.

Earthquake 8.8 Magnitude - Chile

An earthquake of largest magnitude in 50 years has rocked Chile on February 27, 2010. The epicenter was near the city of Concepcion. Most of the structures have been damaged but due to the construction methods having been compliant to earthquake codes, the loss of life has been kept under 1000. There has been widespread looting in the aftermath and 10000 Chilean troops have been deployed to enforce a curfew. The strength is over 500 times greater than the one that struck Haiti in January which killed over 200000 people.

Pastor Altizer and Pastor Taylor's Message

Hi Class

Is it amazing of the Lord to give us reinforcing messages from two pastors on the same day?

Pastor Taylor continued on his theme concerning the charateristics of the devil Satan.

Satan among other things mentioned by Pastor Taylor:

- Uses scripture to promote false teaching by taking text which sounds good but is out of context
- Uses scripture for self jutification

Pastor Taylor used the analogy that the only way to identify the falsehood of the wiles of the devil (which can sound - oh so genuine) is to continually be in the Word of God - that we may know it so well that the counterfeit can be discerned. Just like the experienced bank teller who has handled genuine money so many times that the counterfeit can be more easily (notice the distinction from easily) determined. Even with training and experience, the really good counterfeits take special tests to be identified as such.

In the same manner, Pastor Guy related a story about his friend who committed a verse per day to memory, who in like manner, internalized these portions of Scripture to resist the assault of temptation from the enemy.

Both Pastors shared the encouragement that comes from being able to claim the promises of God, the assured victory of Christ over the enemy, the certainty of God's forgiveness, the Christian's position as children of adoption and the special access which that provides.

Valentines Dinner Reminder

Reminder of the Valentine Dinner. So far we have 20 couples signed up. Please bring your $15 per couple to the dinner and come HUNGRY!

We will be serenaded by violinists, entertained by Corwin Edwards and Ken Buckley will give a devotional. If you haven't signed up yet, be sure to let Debbie Hearn know by Wednesday night!

Day 29 - Sweetheart Dinner Announcement

YOU are invited to bring your sweetheart to a lasagne dinner on Saturday night, February 13, 2010 at 6pm in our Sunday School Classroom.

Get your taste buds ready for a delicious salad, home made lasagne, bread, and various desserts. Sweet tea, water and coffee will be provided.

We are still in the planning mode and would love to have some volunteers to help or make suggestions.

We expect the cost will be less than $10 each but we are still working on that.

We already have Corwin Edwards coming with his guitar to sing a few lighthearted romantic songs for us.

And I would like for our young violists to consider serenading us while we eat.

Jacqueline Hart has agreed to refill our drinks and if you know others that might help with the serving so we ladies can enjoy the evening, we would appreciate it!

And I hope Mark Allen will volunteer to take photos. (Nothing like putting him on the SPOT! :)

If you would like to participate in decorating, desserts, treats, other drinks, entertainment, etc, please let me know by replying to this email or let me know on Sunday. We will eat at round tables in our classroom unless we have more than about 35 sign up. So we need to know how many plan to come. We can change locations if we need to!

So, please be ready to let us know if you plan to come and how many friends plan to come with you on Sunday.

.

Have a great snowy weekend!

Debbie Hearn

Day 24 - Study of Revelation Resumes

Our teacher Dean is back. Today's lesson contained a quick review of past chapters leading up to the reading of the seventh seal

The Seventh Seal
1	And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
2	And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets.
3	And another angel came and stood at the altar, Ex. 30.1 having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
4	And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
5	And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, Lev. 16.12 and cast it into the earth: Ezek. 10.2 and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. Rev. 11.19 ; 16.18

Dean underscored the perspective of the severity of the suffering and destruction that is to come in light of the recent happenings in Haiti as a result of the severe quake - and that this is just a miniscule preview of what is to come. However, it was not with the intent of scaring us, but that we should be prepared in the knowledge that God is in control and that we should be encouraged and not discouraged. As John saw the seal judgments unfolding - the wrath of a holy God and his judgment is being poured out as a consequence of sin.

Day 24 - Severe Weather in the Southeast

We have had a real soaker today with over 2 inches of rain having fallen as of 8:25 PM. There have been tornado warnings issued in Anderson County and there is a big swath of severe storms sweeping through the area. Greenville County is on a flood watch until Tuesday from the runoff from this rain. I had been monitoring the local Amateur Radio repeater traffic on 146.610 MHz. The local hams use this frequency to activate a network called Skywarn in the event of severe weather - warranting monitoring by local hams. So far, as of 8:30 PM the Skywarn network has not yet been activated.

Day 20 - Haiti Update and California Weather - Tornados sighted in Southern Cal

A tornado has been sighted and caused damage in Long Beach area. Heavy rains continued and there have been flash flood and mudslide warnings issued in several areas.

Meanwhile, in Haiti, the death toll continues to mount - 70000 body bags have been counted by the Haiti government with estimates issued for approximately 200,000 dead in the aftermath of the quake.

Day 20 - Current Events - Scott Brown Wins Senate Seat Vacated By Ted Kennedy

In a state where the population is less than 20% Republican, Massachussetts, a Republican has won the seat to replace that of the late Ted Kennedy. It is ironic in that Kennedy has long been an advocate of Universal Health Care and Scott Brown, the new senator, has vowed to fight the health care bill now in the House and Senate. The notable thing about this win is that the Democratic controlled Senate has lost its filibuster proof 60 seat majority. This appears to be the third of key losses for the liberal Democrats, having lost gubernatorial races in Virginia and New Jersey in 2009

Day 19 - Dr. Garlock Speaking on his Haiti Experience

Dr. Frank Garlock was in Jacmel, Haiti on Tuesday, January 12, when
the earthquake struck. God answered the prayers of our church family
and Christian friends around the world, and Dr. Garlock arrived home
five days later.

Dr. Garlock will share the testimony of his experience here at Calvary
on Wednesday, January 20, at 6:45 pm. The junior and senior high teens
will join the adults in the main auditorium for this special service.

Day 17 - Sunday School Lesson By Chuck Evans

Today, our class was taught by Chuck Evans. Dean is still suffering from an upper respiratory infection. Although he was at Sunday School, he was still visibly struggling with the illness.

The key point that Chuck wanted to drive home today through illustrations derived from his own life experience is that one is never too old to be used of God through a yielded life. Chuck is in his forties and he is to go on deputation for his San Paolo, Brazil mission. Through a circuitous series of events starting with trying to elope at age 18 with a 15 year old girl who later became his wife, he went on to finish a degree in engineering, then law, became a practicing attorney and through the placement by God of key people and circumstances - finally yielded to the call and went on to study at Bob Jones University in preparation for mission work. He recently completed his degree at BJU.

Apart from his own life example, Chuck also cited the example of Paul in Acts 7. Paul started as a persecutor of Christians, sometimes to the point of death (as in the stoning of Stephen) and after his conversion wrote 13 books in the New Testament. This is in addition to his missionary journeys which had been instrumental in establishing Christ's church among the Gentile people. Paul was well along in age and started his missionary journey a number of years after his conversion on the road to Damascus.

Day 17 - Tragedy in Haiti

The tragedy in Haiti struck on 1/12/09 - Tuesday as a Richter 7 with its epicenter just 10 miles from Port-Au-Prince rocked the city and its surroundings causing widespread destruction.

Dr. Garlock and Mrs Bennett were in Haiti at the time and there was concern as both of them had not been heard from. However, late Friday, I heard on WORD 106.3 that they have been located as being safe as they were able to call via satellite phone. As of today, Sunday, Dr. Garlock is in Miami due to arrive in Greenville tonight. Needless to say, there has been relief and gladness to know that they are safe and sound.

The videos and photos showing the devastation, death, and suffering are all over the news and the internet and the damage is both widespread and beyond belief.

Day 13 - Any Interest In a Field Trip - Explorations in Antiquity Center

Hi Class:

This is from Debbie Hearn

She is interested  to see our class take a field trip to the Explorations in Antiquity Center near Atlanta.

Their website is www.explorationsinantiquity.net.

Any interest?  We can bring it up again at Sunday School

---

Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now.

Day 12 - Readiness

Be Ready
Jesus emphasizes the necessity for us to be ready. He can return anytime, without notice, as a thief in the night (Matt. 24:36-25:46).

Jesus also teaches us to be ready to die (Lk. 16:19-31). At the time of our death, we will open our eyes in eternity, in a place of comfort and rest or a place of torment.

The parable of the ten virgins illustrates the importance of readiness, for the Lord's return and for death (Matt. 25:1-13).

• Five foolish virgins weren't ready. And five prudent virgins were ready.
• The prudent virgins entered the wedding feast, but the foolish virgins didn't enter. The foolish virgins weren't given a second chance; they were kept out of the feast forever.
• If we're ready when Jesus returns (or we die), we'll be rewarded in heaven. If we aren't ready, we'll enter hell.
• If we enter hell, we won't be given a second chance to be saved; we'll be lost forever.

Stay Alert
Jesus concludes the parable of the ten virgins, saying, "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour" (Matt. 25:13).

We know that Jesus can come at any moment, and that we can die anytime; therefore, be alert. Be ready to die. At the moment of our death, the last chance to correct our lives passes away. If we are right with God, we will enter heaven. But if we are lost in sin, we'll be eternally damned in hell.

Peter admonishes us, saying, "Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. But resist him, firm in your faith, . . . (1 Pet. 5:8-9).

Prepare to Meet God
To go to heaven, we must prepare to meet God. As the chorus of the old song says, "Careless soul, O heed the warning, For your life will soon be gone; O how sad to face the judgment, Unprepared to meet thy God."

Are you ready to meet God? If you're a faithful Christian, you can answer yes. If you're not a faithful Christian, . . .

Day 11 - Sunday School Lesson - By Jeremy Frazor

The Acrostic from the lesson

C - ome to to churxh regularly (Hebrews 10:25)
H - elp others in the church (John 13:14)
U - nderstand that there is a spiritual battle (Ephesians6:12)
R - each the Lost (Mark 16:15)
C - Come to church prepared (Ezra 7:11)
H - elp your pastor (Hebrews 13:17)

Bible References from the lesson:

Hebrews 10:25

²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

John 13:14

¹⁴ If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.

Ephesians 6:12

¹² For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age,^a]">[a] against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Mark 16:15

¹⁵ And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Ezra 7:10

¹⁰ For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.

Hebrews 13:17

¹⁷ Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Day 9 - Selected Photos from Sunday School Chrismas Party

Day 8 - Ruth Smoke's Christmas Poem

This is such a great story - enjoy

Day 7 - Ruth Berkner and Her Guitar

It may be that chronologically Christmas is still before us since the evidence points to Christ being born in the late winter or early spring - perhaps 4 BC. In this light, it may not be out of line to celebrate Christmas until that time. To that end I will post videos from our Christmas party, unless someone tells me stop. Today's installment is Ruth Berkner and her amazing guitar. Tomorrow, it will be another Ruth.

Please study the account below from http://bible.org/article/birth-jesus-christ:

This is from Bible.org by Daniel Wallace.

"Now it logically follows that if Jesus Christ lived (need it be said?), he must have been born. The Gospels tell us that his birth was shortly before Herod the Great died. Herod's death can be fixed with certainty.

Josephus records an eclipse of the moon just before Herod passed on. This occurred on March 12th or 13th in 4 B.C. Josephus also tells us that Herod expired just before Passover. This feast took place on April 11th, in the same year, 4 B.C. From other details supplied by Josephus, we can pinpoint Herod the Great's demise as occurring between March 29th and April 4th in 4 B.C.

It might sound strange to suggest that Jesus Christ was born no later than 4 B.C. since B.C. means 'before Christ.' But our modern calendar which splits time between B.C. and A.D. was not invented until A.D. 525. At that time, Pope John the First asked a monk named Dionysius to prepare a standardized calendar for the western Church. Unfortunately, poor Dionysius missed the real B.C./A.D. division by at least four years!

Now Matthew tells us that Herod killed Bethlehem's babies two years old and under. The earliest Jesus could have been born, therefore, is 6 B.C. Through a variety of other time indicators, we can be relatively confident that the one called Messiah was born in either late 5 or early 4 B.C"

Day 7 -Why I Thank God I Live in the South

Well, It has been a cold 4 days, 18F in the mornings but as I look at the weather channel, it is even colder up north.

Just look at Detroit. If one googles for images of current day Detroit, it is already in Depression with unemployment over 20% in some places, high crime.

This was once the center and showcase of American industry until the unions and liberal policies and governments have taken their toll. Look at the images above. This is where the rest of the country is headed as images like this will spread like a disease across the country. The states which stay truer to the intent of our founding fathers in terms of constitutional rule, conservatism will tend to do better. Let us not support the institutions which attack our freedoms - and worship a different god than the true God embodied by Jesus Christ and His teachings. Most of all, let us pray to God to bring us out this state. But it will take for us to get on our collective knees and plead with God:

2 Chronicles 7:14 - "if my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

so that our land may again be healed. The healing will begin one heart at a time, one family at a time, and one community at a time. Do not shun the political process for the alternative is even uglier. Make ourselves heard to the politicians who are supposed to represent us. Prepare your hearts. Prepare your families. This country is at the edge of calamity and only God and God-fearing people will save it. I hope the Lord does not tarry.

The Law of Sowing and Reaping - The Flip Side

The scripture for this post:

Then David said to Nathan, "I have sinned against the LORD." Nathan replied, "The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. But because by doing this you have made the enemies of the LORD show utter contempt, the son born to you will die."

2 Samuel 12:13-14

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

Galatians 6:7-8

There is a wonderful lesson in http://www.gracevalley.org/sermon_trans/2000/Law_of_Sowing_and_Reaping.html

It explains with clarity the long line of consequences of reaping destruction from sin. The example used is the sin of David with Bathsheba. From that lesson I quote:

"Our Actions Matter

You have probably heard the slogan, "Once saved, always saved." The idea behind it is that it doesn’t matter what Christians do; they will be saved because they invited Jesus into their hearts. Those who use this slogan will quote Paul’s words in Romans 5:20, "Where sin increased, grace increased all the more," but what they are really saying is, "Let us go on sinning that grace may abound." They will say, "I believe in eternal security" and then they sin without fear of any consequences.

I want to tell you that such notions are delusionary. Not only are such people ignoring Paul’s declaration in Romans 6:1, "What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!" but they are also ignoring his words to the Galatians, "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature. . ." (Galatians 5:13). In Galatians 6:7 Paul instructed, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." We cannot sow weeds and reap wheat, nor can we sow thorns and reap strawberries. Hosea tells us if we sow wind, we will reap a whirlwind, and if we sow to sin, we will reap destruction, not righteousness. That is why "Once saved, always saved"—this claim to justification without clear evidence of sanctification—is nothing but equivocation and sheer prevarication."

Day 6 - A Story About Reaping What We Sow

it is almost dawn at this time and I am still here on planet earth despite some carelessness working around the electrical panel over the weekend (accidentally touched the feeder to the main bus while trying to tighten some wire tie). Now I know what it means to have a shocking experience. I thanked God for a well grounded panel and rubber underneath my feet. Today's blog entry is concerning a heartwarming story sent to me by Luz Nacionalez (Founder of Source of Light Ministries.

The Scripture for this morning is about the spiritual law of sowing and reaping.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Galatians 6:7-1

Good morning said a woman as she walked up to the man sitting on ground.

The man slowly looked up.

This was a woman clearly accustomed to the finer things of life. Her coat was new.. She looked like she had never missed a meal in her life.

His first thought was that she wanted to make fun of him, like so many others had done before.. "Leave me alone," he growled....

To his amazement, the woman continued standing.

She was smiling -- her even white teeth displayed in dazzling rows. "Are you hungry?" she asked.

"No," he answered sarcastically. "I've just come from dining with the president. Now go away."

The woman's smile became even broader. Suddenly the man felt a gentle hand under his arm.

"What are you doing, lady?" the man asked angrily. "I said to leave me alone.

Just then a policeman came up. "Is there any problem, ma'am?" he asked..

"No problem here, officer," the woman answered. "I'm just trying to get this man to his feet. Will you help me?"

The officer scratched his head. "That's old Jack. He's been a fixture around here for a couple of years. What do you want with him?"

"See that cafeteria over there?" she asked.. "I'm going to get him something to eat and get him out of the cold for awhile."

"Are you crazy, lady?" the homeless man resisted. "I don't want to go in there!" Then he felt strong hands grab his other arm and lift him up. "Let me go, officer. I didn't do anything."

" This is a good deal for you, Jack" the officer answered. "Don't blow it."

Finally, and with some difficulty, the woman and the police officer got Jack into the cafeteria and sat him at a table in a remote corner. It was the middle of the morning, so most of the breakfast crowd had already left and the lunch bunch had not yet arrived...

The manager strode across the cafeteria and stood by his table. "What's going on here, officer?" he asked. "What is all this, is this man in trouble?"

"This lady brought this man in here to be fed," the policeman answered.

"Not in here!" the manager replied angrily. "Having a person like that here is bad for business.."

Old Jack smiled a toothless grin. "See, lady. I told you so. Now if you'll let me go. I didn't want to come here in the first place."

The woman turned to the cafeteria manager and smiled... "Sir, are you familiar with Eddy and Associates, the banking firm down the street?"

"Of course I am," the manager answered impatiently. "They hold their weekly meetings in one of my banquet rooms."

"And do you make a goodly amount of money providing food at these weekly meetings?"

"What business is that of yours?"

I, sir, am Penelope Eddy, president and CEO of the company."

"Oh."

The woman smiled again. "I thought that might make a difference." She glanced at the cop who was busy stifling a giggle.. "Would you like to join us in a cup of coffee and a meal, officer?"

"No thanks, ma'am," the officer replied. "I'm on duty."

"Then, perhaps, a cup of coffee to go?"

"Yes, mam. That would be very nice."

The cafeteria manager turned on his heel, "I'll get your coffee for you right away, officer."

The officer watched him walk away. "You certainly put him in his place," he said.

"That was not my intent. Believe it or not, I have a reason for all this."

She sat down at the table across from her amazed dinner guest. She stared at him intently.. "Jack, do you remember me?"

Old Jack searched her face with his old, rheumy eyes. "I think so -- I mean you do look familiar."

"I'm a little older perhaps," she said. "Maybe I've even filled out more than in my younger days when you worked here, and I came through that very door, cold and hungry."

"Ma'am?" the officer said questioningly. He couldn't believe that such a magnificently turned out woman could ever have been hungry.

"I was just out of college," the woman began. "I had come to the city looking for a job, but I couldn't find anything. Finally I was down to my last few cents and had been kicked out of my apartment. I walked the streets for days. It was February and I was cold and nearly starving. I saw this place and walked in on the off chance that I could get something to eat."

Jack lit up with a smile. "Now I remember," he said.. "I was behind the serving counter. You came up and asked me if you could work for something to eat. I said that it was against company policy."

"I know," the woman continued. "Then you made me the biggest roast beef sandwich that I had ever seen, gave me a cup of coffee, and told me to go over to a corner table and enjoy it. I was afraid that you would get into trouble..... Then, when I looked over and saw you put the price of my food in the cash register, I knew then that everything would be all right."

"So you started your own business?" Old Jack said.

"I got a job that very afternoon. I worked my way up. Eventually I started my own business that, with the help of God, prospered." She opened her purse and pulled out a business card.. "When you are finished here, I want you to pay a visit to a Mr. Lyons...He's the personnel director of my company. I'll go talk to him now and I'm certain he'll find something for you to do around the office." She smiled. "I think he might even find the funds to give you a little advance so that you can buy some clothes and get a place to live until you get on your feet... If you ever need anything, my door is always opened to you."

There were tears in the old man's eyes. "How can I ever thank you?" he said.

"Don't thank me," the woman answered. "To God goes the glory. Thank Jesus... He led me to you."

Outside the cafeteria, the officer and the woman paused at the entrance before going their separate ways....

"Thank you for all your help, officer," she said.

"On the contrary, Ms. Eddy," he answered. "Thank you. I saw a miracle today, something that I will never forget. And..And thank you for the coffee."

If you have missed knowing me, you have missed nothing.

If you have missed some of my emails, you might have missed a laugh..

But, if you have missed knowing my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, you have missed everything in the world.

Have a Wonderful Day. May God Bless You Always and don't forget that when you "cast your bread upon the waters," you never know how it will be returned to you..

Symbol of The New Babylon?

Well here it is folks - the worlds tallest building:

The Dubai government officially opened the top floor of the Burj Dubai for business today. At 168 stories, 2,684 feet, it is the world’s tallest building by a long shot. It’s also the world’s tallest free-standing structure, highest occupied floor, highest observation deck and longest traveling elevator. We can think of some other records… like, “world’s most hyped construction project” or “world’s greatest testament to hot money and cheap labor.”

But still, this thing is as big as two Empire State Buildings staked on top of one another. It’s 15 degrees colder at the top than at the bottom.

But Dubai is bankrupt - in every sense (spiritually, financially, etc) despite this achievement. What good is it then?

Day 5 - A Year Ago Today

It is Tuesday and 2:00 AM. The stock markets were up Monday as the world is still under the illusion or perhaps the hope that things are going to get better. Chinas manufacturing sector grew at the fastest rate in 20 months. A look back to a year ago today - January 5, 2009.

A Year Ago Today:

o The Dow Jones Industrial Average was at 9000. The free fall had just started to the March low of 6600. Since March the Dow Jones has risen back to 10500
o Only 1 state recognizes same sex marriage - Massachusetts. Now that list has grown to 5 - Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont. Many states have adopted DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) to fight the trend.
o The national debt was at $10.7 trillion (source US Treasury Dept) - now it is $12.3 trillion. We are now on a track (in percentage of GDP terms) to exceed the levels achieved to win World War II except this time we are not fighting Hitler, Mussolini and Emperor Hirohito - a world war of unspeakable horror where death was counted in the millions.
o Unemployment was at 7.2% which has now ballooned to over 10% reaching a peak in November of 10.2%. The last time it crossed 10% was in 1983.

It is in this back drop that we turn our focus once again to the vertical. God is still in control of history. The Bible has given us clues that the end times will not be pretty. Matthew 24:8 "All these are the beginning of sorrows". Matthew 24:21-22 For then shall there be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world, to this time, nor ever shall be. And except for those days be shortened, there should no flesh be spared, but for the elects sake, those days shall be shortened.

"But as the days of Noah were, so shall also be the coming of the Son of Man" Matthew 24:37

"And he (Noah) knew not until the flood came, and took them all away, so shall also be the coming of the Son of Man be. Then shall two be in the field, the one shall be taken and the other left. Two women shall be grinding in the mill, the one shall be taken and the other left. Watch therefore for ye know not the hour your Lord doth come." Matthew 24: 38-42

Remember the parable of the ten virgins:

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

25:1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps [1] and went to meet the bridegroom. [2] 2 Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. 3 For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. 6 But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ 7 Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. 11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ 12 But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ 13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

What does it mean to be ready?

We need to expect His arrival. Our hearts need to be ready on a minute by minute basis. Our study of Revelation is not by accident. Rusty Allen's lesson to refocus our relationship towards God is also not an accident but part of a providential plan to get our hearts ready. As we see the handwriting on the wall - (at the risk of digressing, this idiom is actually based on a Biblical Story where God wrote on the wall to portend the fall of Babylon), there is limited time to get ready, as illustrated by the parable. The virgins who tried to buy oil were too late

Back to the handwriting on the wall. We are living in modern day Babylon. The parallels are too many. The writing on the wall documented by Daniel predates Christ and the writing of the New Testament. The new handwriting on the wall and the admonition to be ready is right in front of us, in the signs of the times and in our bibles. It is just a matter of recognizing it for what it is.

Daniel 5:25 And this is the inscription that was written:

Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin

Mene: God has numbered your kingdom and has finished it.
Tekel: You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting.
Peres: Your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.

Day 4 - Like a Tree Planted by the Rivers of Water...

Psalm 1:1-3

1 Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law does he meditate day and night 3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that brings forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he does shall prosper.

The Importance of the Vertical Focus for Life

Many believe including myself that that 2010 will be even more trying in many ways as compared to 2009. To quote a founding father Thomas Paine (writer of Common Sense) - "These are the times that try men's souls". It is during these times that reliance upon God takes even more importance. If we can internalize the following nine points:

(A synopsis of today's main points from today's class given by Rusty Allen):

o- Worship of God leads to a transformed life (Psalm 42:1, Romans 12:2, @cOR 3:18
o- Being speaks of character - Serving God out of devotion (Prov 23:7, Hosea 6:6, Romans 1:9)
o- Short accounts of sin leads to repentance - viewing sin as first and foremost against God (Psalm 51:4; 1John 1:9)
o- Contentment in God himselfl deep seated joy despite circumstances (2Cor 8:2, Phil 4:11)
o- Zero tolerance for those things abhorrent to God "not onced named among you" (ephesians 5:3, 1John 3:21)
o- All ground is sacred ground - one spirit and mind (1Cor 10:31, Phillipians 1:27)
o- Spiritual success measured by anointing on a life - service driven by prayer and meditation (Psalm 5:3, 1Timothy 4:15, 1 John 2:27)
o- Divine motivation - for His glory (Psalm 86:12, Revelation 4:11)
o- Bold witness to the los (phillipians 1:20)